i was sooooo excited that i got to pattern test the newest pattern by noodlehead. check it out, it’s an envelope clutch!

anna has written a great pattern with lots of options (small/large, pointed/squared flap, wrist strap, zippered pocket, card holder), so you can make it however you like to suit your every desire. the outer fabric is basted to canvas for structure, and the lining is interfaced, so it’s nice and substantial. i also love that anna instructs you to use magnetic snaps to keep it closed – a little scary to install (cutting holes in the almost-finished purse), but the end product feels so…professional! not too floppy and it closes nicely – it’s like a REAL clutch!

i made the large version with pointed flap. the outer fabric is a gray chevron (half moon modern by moda), and i flipped it upside down on the flap for an interesting geometric contrast. on the inside, i used my favorite solid, kona olive.

side note: i really need to buy more “adult” fabrics. this chevron was pretty much the only thing in my stash that would work for date night outfits as well as daytime, but i do love it and love the herringbone effect of the card holder on the inside, too.

i went with the exposed zippered pocket, which i’d never tried before (the pattern calls for a 5″ zipper but i used a 7″ and shortened it by backstitching a few times across the end and pinking off the excess), and the pocket is lined in a cheery gold polka dot.

please pardon the tarp in the background. we were up at the family vacation spot on the puget sound this weekend and there’s some landscaping to be done! the weather was crazy too – we had snow, rain, wind, and blue skies, all within a matter of hours. as we took these photos, a storm was blowing in and the light on the water was really cool.

anyway, i just love pattern testing. it’s fun to see the background on great new independent patterns coming to market and how they get made (i was lucky enough to test rae’s pierrot tunic pattern last fall). i had a great time testing this pattern, too – i learned some new things and was so happy with how it turned out. look, i even pretty closely matched the chevrons on the sides! don’t ask me how, but this is about as good as it gets for me. 🙂

the pattern is coming very soon, so keep your eye on noodlehead in the next week or so to snatch it up and make your own! it’s so versatile and quick to sew, i’m already dreaming up my next version!  **update: the envelope clutch pattern is now available!  get it here!!**

and be sure to check back here later this week, because a sweet tartan dress tutorial is in the works!